“Tap into my goddamned soul?Over my dead body.” If there was one good thing about Selene sharing her intended goals for the day, it was a temporary damper on his libido. He couldn’t think of anything he desired less than to have Little Miss Virtuous poking around in his emotional attic. Jason plopped down at his desk and flipped open his laptop. He wasn’t hiding anything per se, but it was the principle of the thing. Anyone with any sense of privacy would balk at the notion.
He opened his email and concentrated on reviewing the latest batch of financials from his scout, Andrew. He had a good feeling about this new company Spackles. He texted Andrew.
Set up a meeting with Spackles’ executive team
The return text came back almost immediately.
Perfect. I had a feeling you’d see the potential. How about Friday?
Jason looked over his shoulder at the door.
Actually, I’m having a medical procedure. Next week?
Is everything okay? Anything I should know about?
Routine.
Thank God. We need you healthy. Baby needs a new pair of shoes.
Jason laughed. Of course Andrew wanted to rush this one. His commission would set him up for the year.
Next week.
I’m on it, boss. Take care.
Tossing his phone on the desk, he moved on to the next email, another company, another scout, another set of financials. What Selene didn’t realize was, when it came to his business, there was always work to do. He could do this all day, all night if he had to. He supposed if he worked long enough, he’d prove to her he could break this vice on his own without the need for any religious mumbo jumbo.
Only, as the day wore on, Jason’s vice had other things in mind. Although he stared at his computer screen, his wolf sent him a crystal-clear fantasy of hooking his fingers into the waistband of Selene’s jeans, sliding them over her hips, and burying his face between her thighs. Mangoes and vanilla, that’s what she smelled like. He wondered if the scent would be stronger or more defined between her legs. Would her skin taste sweet? Was her flesh as soft as it looked?
He got to his feet and paced the room. She said she was celibate, but she wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t curious. He could teach her to like it.Fuck.How could he be expected to maintain his distance with a woman who was in his apartment so willingly? He felt like a spider with a fly caught in his web, a fly he wasn’t supposed to touch. Yeah, right.
He paced faster, a growl stirring in his chest. Silas should’ve known better than to send a woman. Of course, all werewolf priestesseswerewomen, but that was just more of a reason he should have been allowed to face his demons on his own.
His dick was hard again and the need inside him was a fire demanding to be fed. Fuck, Ryker had warned him about the rebound effect of using the ring. His need was almost beyond his control.
Ryker..
Jason dug through the drawer of his nightstand. His hand fell on the box with the snake on the lid. He nudged the drawer closed with his hip and crossed to his desk. As far as he knew, Grateful had destroyed the ring, but that didn’t mean Ryker wouldn’t have a replacement. Turning the box over in his hand, he referred to the sticker with the Lost Things logo and phone number stuck to the bottom. He started to dial the number… but stopped with his finger hovering over the five.
Mango.He drew a deep breath in through his nose.
She’d walked past his room. His erection kicked and his wolf chuffed. A growl broke his lips.
Pocketing his phone, he glared at the door. It was too late for rings or potions. He needed sex, and he needed it now.
ChapterTwelve
Selene squared her shoulders and screwed up her courage. Even though Jason was a royal, she couldn’t allow him to push her around. She was here for a reason, and she was going to follow through with her commitment to Silas and to Artemis. The problem was, every time she looked at Jason—those piercing green eyes and that perfectly designed face—she experienced a wave of inappropriate attraction. Worse, her inner wolf was interested, chuffing and sniffing like she wanted to get closer to his beast. She was fairly sure the allure was an echo, left over from the ritual she’d performed. When she’d taken Nickelova’s curse into her body, she’d had a taste of what it would be like to be with Jason, and she’d be lying to herself if she said it wasn’t the single most pleasurable feeling she’d ever encountered in her work.
But she couldn’t think about that. He’d never get better locked in his room. In fact, he’d missed lunch and dinner. His growing physical hunger might exacerbate his symptoms. And there was more at stake here than just helping him gain control of his vice. Her future as pack priestess was on the line. With a fortifying breath, she decided it was time for the two of them to start down his road to recovery.
“Jason?” She rapped on his door. “You need to come out now. Have something to eat. Begin your therapy.”
Nothing.
“I’m becoming concerned. It’s been over twelve hours since your last meal. I need to know you’re okay in there.” She knocked again.
Nothing.
